0

The Infinity Stones are being gathered again, and both heroes and villains clamor to acquire them. I was initially skeptical that Infinity Wars was just an old story re-hashed too many times (Civil War II), but Duggan delivers an Intriguing, well-paced, and intense plot. Art by Deodato is some of the best comic books can offer. The color palette is dark, serious, and gritty. This isn’t the playful artwork and color design we see in the Avengers by Mcguinness. Infinity Wars Prime is deserving to be on your pull list and I think you might be surprised how good it is.

Barnes continues to deliver a well written, characterized, and paced plot. The biggest detriment to the series is that there are no risks taken adventuring away from a classic comic book formula. The read is enjoyable, but characters feel unchallenged, static, and repeating the same conversation over and over again. For example, Lando takes advantage of a robot and L3-37 squabbles with him over it. How many times must we have the same conversation in a different way before readers feel stuck in a feedback loop? Art continues to be polished, but background details are a little scarce. Still a buy recommendation from me, but I can’t help feeling that Barnes could do more to take it to the next level.

Rating: 6 out of 10

MR & MRS X #1
Written by Kelly Thompson
Art by Oscar Bazaldua

What could be more exciting than a nice relaxing honeymoon for Gambit and Rogue? Well, obviously something has to give, and it does. Their honeymoon is interrupted for an unforeseen emergency and they happen to be the only people in space around to answer the call. The ending is superb, but the plot is a bit slow and exposition focused. If wedding reception dialogue sounds entertaining, this is the book for you; otherwise, I’d pass until we see if Issue #2 turns our surprise ending into something greater.

Rating: 5 out of 10

THE SENTRY #2
Written by Jeff Lemire
Art by Kim Jacinto

Jeff Lemire’s Sentry is very much a Jeff Lemire book and very much different than your typical superhero comic. The stakes continue to rise as Bob (Sentry) is unable to locate his Confluctor that allows him to keep the Void at bay. Because this puts the planet in danger, Stark isolates him in a deep underground cell, but can it hold the Sentry? Jacinto’s artwork draws faces full of expression, detailing every ounce of agony, suffering, and puzzlement of our cast. The Sentry draws you in like a spider to its web and doesn’t let go. If you’re looking for something different in the world of superhero comics, you’ll love this.

Rating: 10 out of 10

THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #2
Written by Nick Spencer
Art by Ryan Ottley

Ryan Ottley’s run re-introduces the classic Spider-Man formula. There's good comedy, MJ, The Lizard, Spidey’s bad run of luck, and more. The story is rather typical and nothing out of the ordinary. It has a nice twist at the end, which it needed. There’s something missing from the comic though. The lack of skyscraper visuals and Spidey swinging through the skyline is noticeable, especially for a series trying to return to its roots.

Rating: 7 out of 10

MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE #8
Written by Chip Zdarsky
Art by Paco Medina

If you've read The Thing and the Human Torch Two-In-One, you know it's a great series. Issue #8 was ok, but slowed everything down a bit. Think farm episode of The Walking Dead. It's a good intermission to provide more struggle to the story and show not everything is solved magically in an issue. It isn’t action-packed or as exciting as the previous 7 issues.

Rating: 6 out of 10

VENOM #4
Written by Donny Cates
Art by Ryan Stegman

Wow. Just wow. Venom #4 is the origin story of Knull. This was like reading the origin story of Galactus for the first time. Every page I read, I’m awed, astounded, and jaw-dropped. Mind = Blown. This is a modern masterpiece! Venom #4 is the best single issue of the year! Stop whatever you’re doing and go buy this book. Why are you reading this? GO, GO BUY THIS NOW!

Rating: 10 out of 10

X-23 #2
Written by Mariko Tamaki
Art by Juann Cabal

X-23 is the result of 80 years of perfecting storytelling in comic books. It is finely tuned and polished to a shine. Tamaki sprinkles her signature slice of life dialogue on X-23. It’s warm and inviting with a dash of good comedy. Panel work and pencils by Cabal are exceptionally clean and easy to follow. While Laura and Gabby’s chemistry is lively, the Stepford Cuckoos are cold and distant. The story turns darker as the Cuckoos move their sinister plot into action. X-23 is a title for someone who wants good, clean, no-nonsense fun.

Nakia continues vying for the attention of the Black Panther by causing mayhem in the Marvel universe. This time the X-Men, and by X-Men we mean Rogue, Storm, and Nightcrawler, are here to stop her. After the Mimic-27 causes a significant amount of mayhem, the Black Panther finally shows up. It’s a bit of a YA story, probably meant to capitalize on the success of the Black Panther movie and to bring in new people to Marvel Comics through a series of #1 crossovers. It’s not a bad comic, but it isn’t particularly great either.